Cut diamond pond

"Ponds freeze in the shape of 

cut diamond,"

he told me.

That means the safest place to

stand is in the middle,

The thickest ice beneath your

burning feet.

Always go back a different way

than you came, you tell yourself.

Those deep footprints only trip

you up anyway.

"A good frost will prevent

any wax moth infestations,"

he told the room.

That means the best place to store

your extra hives

is out in the cold.

The most supportive homes are not

always the warmest.

Warmth breeds infestation.

Cold strengthens,

Thickens blood

and skin,

Slows time,

Forms crystals

Like cut diamonds

Beneath the surface.

Reviews

[kentuck14]

This poem presents an interesting style to present a certain viewpoint. The various stanzas seem like aphorisms . . . quick statements of perceived truth about the benefits of coldness. A search for beauty in the most unlikely places or times. However, I sense the speaker is trying to convince himself that this is the best way to live his life . . . living just "beneath the surface," for this seems the safest way to avoid
pain. Nice work.
Tom

[Kay]

I find the first line quite interesting, you can interpret it a few different ways. After reading through the poem, I went back and perceived "Ponds freeze in the shape of/cut diamond" as a word of advice that we're all ponds in life - the colder we make ourselves in this world, the more stable and sharp (smart/protected) we will be, but the warmth makes us 'wet' (defenseless, weak). Which also accentuates the line "Cold strengthens,/Thickens blood". On a scientific level, water density increases as temperature cools, so great line!

[Chris Shaw]

A question of trust. When do you trust someone else, instead of listening to your inner voice. Your lines really made me stop and think. I am liking the style and flow of your poetry.

Chris

[lizardbrain]

Really glad you enjoyed it, Chris. As I commented back to John below - I didn't see the vein of mistrust running through these lines until you both brought it to light. thankful for your feedback and perspective.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This piece is thick with questions about trust and life and fear. It is written in great allegory and really provided food for thought in a flowing poem with impact.

[lizardbrain]

Thank you so much! I honestly didn't even see the veil of mistrust laying over these lines until you and Chris both pointed it out. Grateful for feedback from writers and thinkers such as yourselves

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! well done with powerful metaphors ... Louis L'Amour's hero's many times give the advice not to travel the same road twice ;)
keep a cold heart and avoid the risk of pain ... i am not sure if i admire or pity your speaker ... and your closing super impresses me ... when we understand that diamonds do exist under our surfaces ...we can forego an impulse to dismiss another ... tho in the sense of your poem i rather think it is a bit of a warning that if the surface is scratched on your "person" ... there may be sharp and hardened edges to be cut on ... hmmmmmmmmm ... i am a baby boomer and the philosophy of your poem so reminds me of me Da's generation ... venerating that tough ... rock demeanor ..
E.

[lizardbrain]

i'm not sure if I admire or pity my speaker either! just working out the benefit of staying cold and tough rather than warm and soft.. or maybe there is no benefit and it's more of a wall than a diamond being formed. I do see the influence on this poem that my baby boomer parents and this parents have.. thanks for your insights as always :)

[lizardbrain]

and their parents**

[Einstein Noodle]

oh i think there are benefits all right ... like anything tho, the extremes are what start taking away from that ;)

[Einstein Noodle]

ps if your thickened ice carried with me as i read the rest i may have gotten more of the thick skin metaphor ..somehow the diamond and ice put my thoughts on all those facets sparking and cold ;)